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Chatham, Stetson universities partner on shorter time to law degree

March 7, 2016newseditor

PITTSBURGH: Chatham University in Pennsylvania and Stetson University in Florida have partnered to offer students an accelerated program to earn a law degree.

The 3+3 program, starting in fall of 2016, allows eligible Chatham University undergraduates to apply to law school at Stetson University in their junior year. Students admitted to the program fulfill their senior year of undergraduate credits through the successful completion of their first year of law school courses.

High-performing Chatham students will earn their bachelor’s and juris doctor (J.D.) degrees in six years, rather than the traditional seven years. Students will spend three years at Chatham and three years at Stetson law school.

“This partnership builds on Chatham’s pre-law foundation by helping Chatham students save time and money with the accelerated 3+3 path to their undergraduate and graduate degree,” said Chatham University President Esther L. Barazzone, Ph.D. “And, as a recognized leader in sustainability, Chatham is also thrilled by the opportunity this presents for our students wishing to pursue environmental law and policy.”

“Stetson University is pleased to partner with Chatham to offer a quality legal education to students who are high achievers,” said Stetson University President Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D. “President Barazzone and I started talking about this in October of last year, and I am so pleased that our institutions have been able to work through the details in such a timely fashion. Creating the next generation of leaders in the legal profession is our mission and our privilege.”

“Stetson leads the way in designing partner programs to help outstanding students accelerate their quest to launch a legal career,” said Stetson law school Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz. “This latest agreement reaffirms Stetson’s commitment to the success of our students.”

Stetson Law offers an accelerated 3+3 program with the University of South Florida, as well as a 3+3 and a Direct Admissions program with the University of West Florida and Stetson University. Other partner arrangements are planned for the future.

Stetson offers certificates of concentration for J.D. students in the areas of advocacy, elder law, environmental law, international law and social justice advocacy.

About Stetson University College of LawStetson University College of Law, Florida’s first law school, has prepared lawyers and leaders since 1900. Today, Stetson leads the nation in blending legal doctrine with practical training, evidenced by its top-ranked programs in advocacy and legal writing. Through our academically rigorous curriculum and commitment to social responsibility, Stetson lawyers are ethical advocates ready to succeed in the legal profession.

About Chatham University
Now fully coed, Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA, has over 2,100 students in the School of Health Sciences; the Falk School of Sustainability; and the School of Arts, Science and Business. Chatham is the alma mater of environmental icon Rachel Carson, and is recognized as a leader in the field of sustainability, having been named to Sierra magazine’s list of top 20 “cool schools” and mentioned in Forbes as one of the places “contributing to Pittsburgh’s transformation into a destination for green living.” Building on these accomplishments, Chatham opened in 2014 the world’s first fully sustainable campus in higher education, Eden Hall Campus. Consistently ranked as a best college by “U.S. News & World Report”, Chatham earned the highest ranking among western Pennsylvania institutions in the “Regional Universities – North” category for 2015.